Woah! The Archos 7 Android!

[wwalraven]

Nice, but that does seem like an unfortunate placement for the headphone jack.

Isn't on the side like the A5? why is that a bad spot to plug in?

It's where I put my hand when watching videos. I already broke the micro-USB slot of my a5a by having something plugged into the slot while using the device.

[v_c]

I guess it's a matter of opinion.
It would be nice, but not essential - mainly because it's not a proprietary connection.
After all, you can use a micro usb cable and plug into the wall.
As I mentioned before, I use the wall charging cable that came with my blackberry.

With that inexpensive cable, you can watch a movie while it's charging anyway.

You probably think it's still essential.
But the solution is pretty cheap.
You don't need a dock to use a wall socket to charge.

Again, while what you are saying is perfectly correct (many people already have a USB charger), for me I think its still a bad attitude to have. You are cutting Archos too much slack.

If every manufacturer had that opinion, devices wouldn't come with ANY cables! You'd buy a laptop and it would come with no charger, because the manufacturer said - 'oh, you probably have a charger lying around from another'. Or you'd buy a camera with no USB cable because 'oh, they are very cheap and you probably have one already'. Do you see my point?

Not to mention that most USB chargers are 5V 800mA (or less, some only 500mA), so it is still a VERY slow alternative to the 2000mA of the dedicated charger docks. Thats why Archos know most people will spend more money to buy the charger, an 800mA charger is fine for a small PMP, but the Archos 5 has something like a 4200mAh battery (and I guess the A5A similar capacity) and it just takes way too long to charge with that kind of current. Its just a really mean move on Archos part not to include a dedicated charger as standard. All it does is piss off their 'fans'.

[map002]

Hi v_c,

Its just a really mean move on Archos part not to include a dedicated charger as standard. All it does is piss off their 'fans'.

Well, piss off some fans.

I wasn't expecting and wouldn't expect an AC adapter in the box. But others, obviously, might. I'm not so sure I'm cutting a manufacturer 'too much slack' when they conform to the norms of their industry. I'd be more prepared to go on the offensive if they fell below those norms and quick to praise where they exceeded them.

But again, that's just me. And I agree that including any extra accessories in the box is great, even if you and I might disagree as to whether they're essential or generally expected.

Michael

[pretzelogic]

I'm a big fan of USB charging. One cable and charger for all of my devices. Less junk to have to carry while traveling. Also, I like to charge at night. While I'm sleeping.

The Archos 7 Android will be about the size of a business envelop with 1 3/8" folded over on an end. My guess is, it will weight about 10-12 ozs.

[seraphimprime]

My A5 came with an assortment of European wall adapters.

Does that count

(Quite a waste of money really).

[Guurn]

Barring some competitor coming out with the same thing with a pixel q screen or something this is a buy for me. Hope there is a version with more memory though.

[pretzelogic]

We'll probably see some Tegra 2/Pixel Qi tablets this summer.

12 minutes to the iSlate.

[nopantts]

_

It's interesting to see what people here will and will not accept from a device costing hundereds of pounds.

What I find even more interesting is what the non techy customers of QVC UK will and will not accept. They must be Archos's biggest supplier in the UK.

Link alert: http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/ ... tem.562537 - Check the reviews.

The A5A has risen to the dizzy heights of 2.4 out of 5 starts in rank. This is due to some recent 4 or 5 star entries - it's been 2.2 for ages. A lot of the earlier low rankings were partly due to the lack of a mains charger. Ordinary, non techy people just expect things to work straight out of the box.

Of course some of the decisions are based on garbage info from other disenchanted non buyers. Take the latest review from Sundance - second paragraph - "For example, the sat nav. I tried to get it going but, like others, had trouble and when I saw from others that it doesn't have UK postcodes I gave up as this is a must-have for me." Of course it takes UK Post Codes - jeez.

Other people's inaccurate mumblings are putting off buyers. But I'm not surprised that people exaggerate issues. People get fed up with Archos's products because they can't get started - they feel they're treading water, getting nowhere. This mains charger business is a much bigger deal for Archos than they imagine, because it's part of the first encounter with the device. "You only get one chance to make a first impression". It's downhill all the way after that. For a device costing hundreds of pounds, would anyone notice £5 on the purchase price?

_

[v_c]

People get fed up with Archos's products because they can't get started - they feel they're treading water, getting nowhere. This mains charger business is a much bigger deal for Archos than they imagine, because it's part of the first encounter with the device. "You only get one chance to make a first impression". It's downhill all the way after that. For a device costing hundreds of pounds, would anyone notice £5 on the purchase price?

Very well said mate.

As a brand new user (hypothetically) I would rather spend £5 extra on the device, rather than to get it home, unbox it and start to get frustrated about the charging time, or not having something in the box to charge it when on holidays. Then you've got to hit the forums to wonder why the hell its taking so long, and find out about the battery docks. And then you've got to go order one of those, pay for the shipping, yadda yadda. Archos make a few extra bucks in the short term, but long term it just hurts their reputation. Don't even get me started on the plugins!

[map002]

Hi Nopantts,

Of course I'll agree with you that it put the QVC market off.

And I'll also say that whoever the genius what at Archos sales that decided that the QVC audience fit the A5A target demographic and wouldn't be subject to an avalanche of returns from that very non-technical audience needs either medication or therapy, perhaps both.

If that were the target audience, not only would I include an AC adapter, I would not include the A5A or any other Android OS device.

And having spent time with the marketing types, not only can 5 quid make or break a device with it's target market, as little as 3 pence can earn or lose hundreds and sometimes thousands of sales. I thought it was a huge load of shite until I saw the proof over and over again. It's a funny old world sometimes.

Michael

[nopantts]

_

I do know a little about Standard Costing. I was a Management Accountant in the 70's.

But this is not Cost Accounting, it's Marketing. What is the consequential Cost to Archos of, not only the people returning the devices, but also the people who read the reviews and never buy them at all?

I don't know the answer, of course. However, I have to ask the question. I feel that the Archos organisation is too "techy" (or maybe just French) in its attitude to potential customers. I honestly believe, as you do, I think, that the Marketing Department needs some training.

It's the excitement factor I'm talking about. We all get excited, anticipating opening the box with our shiny new toy inside. It's the Christmas Morning factor. Take my favourite QVC as an example. They realised a long time ago that people expect things to work out of the box. They insist that all battery operated products include batteries in the box. There were too many disappointed kids opening boxes with electric toys which didn't work on Christmas Morning. You absolutely must EXCITE your customers, not DISAPPOINT them. It's the beginning of a relationship (or not).

You're right about the target market. But I believe that the QVC demographic is a good one for Archos to target. But they need to educate that market first, to be ready for this generation of devices. With hand-holding, things can be ok. I don't think Archos should only target techy user markets. The potential non techy user market is huge. They just need to "prime the pump". It's not Market Research, it's Market Development.

Yada yada yada.

Sorry - I have a feeling of deja vue here.

_

[SvenC]

APE and lyrics support?

We need that for the 5.

and DC charger?
Archos <> Apple anymore?
Wow, and as next removable batteries and we are all happy!

[map002]

You're right about the target market. But I believe that the QVC demographic is a good one for Archos to target.

Yes, but first Archos would have to make a product suited to this market. Any Android device is, by it's nature, wrong for this market unless Android itself is hidden under a locked UI. is too fluky for this. Something like their Vision line in a 4.8" form factor would have worked fine though.

And the other stuff is a long drawn out discussion that, with all due respect, doesn't interest me enough to go on about right now. I hate marketing too much from too many hard lessons learned to be able to go into it that often for recreation. So I'll just kindly ask that we agree to disagree there and I'll exit that part of the discussion.

Michael

[ltcmdrdata]

This is fantastic news indeed.

Is the 8gb version really going to be $250 US? Isn't that the same price as the Archos 5 Android?

Is the processor the same as the Archos 5, or faster? If the processor is the same, will video playback or operating system performance be affected with a larger screen?

Is it using a standard SD, or micro SD.

[nopantts]

You're right about the target market. But I believe that the QVC demographic is a good one for Archos to target.

Yes, but first Archos would have to make a product suited to this market. Any Android device is, by it's nature, wrong for this market unless Android itself is hidden under a locked UI. is too fluky for this. Something like their Vision line in a 4.8" form factor would have worked fine though.

And the other stuff is a long drawn out discussion that, with all due respect, doesn't interest me enough to go on about right now. I hate marketing too much from too many hard lessons learned to be able to go into it that often for recreation. So I'll just kindly ask that we agree to disagree there and I'll exit that part of the discussion.

Michael

lol

Me too. i only mentioned Marketing because it had already been mentioned.

I'll just say this about QVC customers. I bet that, if people opened the box, and switched on an A5A, performing as mine does now, nobody would have sent them back.

_

[claus]

Anyone remembers Vanity singing "I need seven inches or more" ?

[map002]

If the processor is the same, will video playback or operating system performance be affected with a larger screen?

The screen resolution is identical to the A5A. So performance should be similar if the chips are similar.

Michael

[BXbomber]

I really like this, 7 inch screen is really nice to view web pages on the couch.

If they upgrade it to android 2.+ i'd rather get this then the a5a.

[Chengbin]

Are you telling me that the A7A will not come with an AC power adapter? That can't be right, because there is no way you're gonna charge that on a PC. 8 hours for the A5A is already stretching it quite far.

I don't agree with Archos's move to not include an AC adapter, but they do need the extra cash from accessories sales. Although a better move would be to raise the price by $30 and include a mini dock. I'm sure most consumers would much rather have that. For many people it is hard justifying another purchase for an accessory after spending so much on the player, but if it is included, and the cost is added on the base price, people are more compelled to buy it, because it is one purchase.

And yes, I'm not even gonna mention how Archos are pissing off their customers for making a few bucks more in the beginning.

And BTW, I honestly don't think there is a marketing department, or even a person dedicated for marketing. If there is, that person deserves to be fired. You might say he might be forced by Archos to do something that'll hurt the companies reputation for a few bucks more in the beginning, but then Archos wouldn't need a marketing department.

[munkytown71]

Hi Munkytown,

Ok? What I'm saying is why come out with a 7 inch screen when you already have a 5 and a 9. And just give the A5A "stereo" speakers and a webcam. Maybe it's too small to be technologically possible. But what do I know? I just want it all on one small-ish device.

Because a 7" screen is bigger than a 4.8" screen and that's important to some people?

Or because the 9 Inch tablet is much bigger, thicker, heavier and can't play HD video worth a damn?

On maybe because it's 'Entertainment Your Way'and some people have a 7" screen on their way?

Michael

Cute, Michael . But I'm guessing a 7" version isn't going to sell very well. But we'll see. Most people want something to fit in their pocket that they use for entertainment purposes or something closer to a tablet PC or netbook for more "business-like" purposes.
And have you seen the Archos 9 firsthand? I'm wondering why it doesn't play HD well.